Online Masonic Leadership Course
Designed for masters and wardens, open to all: Presenting all-new online Masonic leadership training
What do successful lodges do to stand apart?
Learn game-changing techniques and hear expert advice from Masonic leaders from around the state at the 2020 Online Masonic Leadership Course so that you—and your lodge brothers—can get the most out of Freemasonry. Embrace time-tested management skills, get ideas for invigorating your lodge, and create an action plan that will help you make change. This twice-weekly online course will help lodge leaders plan for returning to in-person meetings. Attend with fellow line officers to create a multiyear roadmap to guide your lodge.
What’s more, the California Masonic Foundation has sponsored this course, so attendance is FREE for all California Masons. Registration is open to all, but you must reserve your spot in advance.
Dates and Times
Sessions are every Tuesday and Thursday starting June 9. Most sessions are 45 minutes long and will be held twice on the same day. Just pick and choose your session times as you register. A reminder email will be sent to you prior to the session.
Unable to Attend a Session?
All sessions are recorded and available for viewing 48 hours after the session is complete. Just find the session you’re interested in, and click the “Watch Not” button. Please note, you must register to watch the recordings.
Session 1
Masonry at a Distance
Speaker: Grand Master John E. Trauner
Tuesday, June 9
Course Description
Grand Master John E. Trauner opens the Masonic Online Leadership Course with an update on where the fraternity is now, where it’s going, and what the framework is for updating his current social-distancing orders. A panel with past lodge masters Paul Dana and Chris Smith will explore what Masonry looks like during the pandemic, and how to be there for one another at a distance.
Speaker Bio
John E. Trauner is grand master of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in Madison Lodge No. 23 in Grass Valley in 1997 and served as master of the lodge in 2001. Trauner has also served the Grand Lodge of California as an inspector, as assistant grand lecturer, and as a member of various constitutional boards.
Session 2
Engaging Brothers: The “Can’t-Miss” Stated Meeting
Speaker: Douglas Ismail
Thursday, June 11
Course Description
How would your members describe stated meetings? Do they represent the best of what Freemasonry has to offer? Do your lodge’s stated meetings excite and encourage members to come back? Are they well-planned, well-run, and efficiently executed? Are they can’t-miss experiences? In this session, California Masonic Foundation President and California No. 1 lodge master Doug Ismail explores ways for lodges to create meaningful stated meeting experiences, shares best practices, and provides a framework for planning and execution. Learn how to increase participation and member engagement, and create enthusiasm for your lodge while delivering on the three essential promises of our craft: making lifelong friendships, improving ourselves, and making a difference in the world.
Speaker Bio
Douglas Ismail is in his second year as master of California Lodge No. 1 in San Francisco. A 15-year Mason, Ismail has also served as chair of the lodge trustees. Ismail also leads the California Masonic Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Grand Lodge of California.
Session 3
Three Tools for Engagement: A Mason’s Journey
Speakers: Gary Silverman (presenter); Mark Nielsen and Carlos Diez (panelists)
Tuesday, June 16
Course Description
It’s never been more important for Masonic leaders to increase lodge engagement. In this course, you will hear how three tools can help you and your lodge create a true journey from prospect to candidate; from candidate to brother; from active brother to inspired officer; and from past master to lodge mentor, ambassador, and coach. This interactive webinar will share best practices from successful lodges throughout California.
Speaker and Panelist Bios
Gary Silverman served as master of Saddleback Laguna Lodge No. 672 in 2011. He is a member and past chairman of the Lodge Support Committee and past grand chaplain. He has also facilitated leadership retreats since 2012.
Mark Nielsen is a past master of Novus Veteris No. 864 and Oceanside-San Dieguito Lodge No. 381. He is also inspector of the 941st Masonic District, vice chairman of the Special Committee on Leadership Development, and has been a facilitator and speaker at leadership conferences since 2017.
Carlos Diez joined Masonry in December 2010. Six years later, he served as master of his lodge. He also served on the Grand Lodge committee for the Public Schools Advisory Council and as grand standard bearer for Grand Master Bruce Galloway. Diez was most recently appointed inspector of the 905th Masonic District in Orange County. He is still a member his lodge’s Temple Board Association and editor of its trestleboard.
Session 4
Sharing the Work of Lodge Leadership and Lessons of the Beehive
Speakers: Past Masters Mark McNee and Carlos Diez
Thursday, June 18
Course Description
Sharing the work of the lodge is critical to engaging members and keeping officers from burning out. The beehive will be central to this conversation. In the hive, each bee has a job and each bee does its job working together in harmony. Come learn how to apply the lessons of the beehive to your lodge and how to increase engagement.
Speaker Bios
Carlos Diez joined Masonry in December 2010. Six years later, he served as master of Solomon’s Staircase Lodge No. 357. He also served on the Grand Lodge committee for the Public Schools Advisory Council and as grand standard bearer for Grand Master Bruce Galloway. Diez was most recently appointed inspector of the 905th Masonic District in Orange County. He is still a member his lodge’s Temple Board Association and editor of its trestleboard.
Mark McNee was raised a Master Mason in Phoenix Lodge No. 144 in April 2011. He served as master of the lodge in 2016 and is currently master of Sons of the Desert Lodge No. 872 in San Mateo. McNee has served as chairman of the San Francisco Public Schools Advisory, as a trustee of the California Masonic Foundation, as a member of the Let’s Write the Future campaign committee, and as a member of the Special Committee on Leadership Development.
Session 5
Thinking Ahead: 2050 Vision and 2025 Plan
Speaker: Grand Secretary Allan Casalou
Tuesday, June 23
Course Description
Where will Freemasonry be in 2050? Why will the fraternity matter? With the 2020 Fraternity Plan coming to a close, the fraternity is thinking ahead and building its vision for 2050 and a plan for 2025. A vision is a clear, inspiring, and memorable description of the future that represents the fraternity’s impact. Participate in this interactive session to help shape our future. A vision document and exercise will be sent out ahead of this session to help you prepare.
Speaker Bio
Allan Casalou is grand secretary of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in November 1991. He has served as master of Acalanes Fellowship Lodge No. 480 and Prometheus Lodge No. 851. As grand secretary, he is a member of various constitutional boards and leads our Grand Lodge staff.
Breakout Sessions
Thinking Ahead: 2050 Vision and 2025 Plan
Tuesday, June 23 & Wednesday, June 24
Description
In these online breakout sessions, participants will share in developing a vision for the fraternity in 2050 by designing a cover of TIME magazine on Freemasonry. How will Freemasonry be presented 30 years from now? How have we touched and made a mark on the world? Come together with your fellow lodge leaders to peek into the future. Please choose one date and time to attend a breakout session.
Session 6
iMember 2.0 and Tools for Engagement and Communication
Speakers: Emily Limón and Jordan Yelinek
Thursday, June 25
Course Description
Earlier this year, the Grand Lodge unveiled the new iMember 2.0 platform and launched a robust training plan for officers. Here, we will share some of the system’s exciting new functions, including a virtual dues card, new communication and engagement tools, and the replacement for the lodge app. Participants will also learn how they—and all members—can be trained on the platform before July 1, when it launches to members statewide.
Speaker Bios
Emily Limón is chief communications officer for the Masons of California. She oversees California Freemason magazine and is responsible for developing communications strategies and tools for lodges and all Grand Lodge entities.
Jordan Yelinek is director of Member Services and Lodge Development for Grand Lodge, where he also heads event management. He was raised a Master Mason in 2002. He has served as master and secretary of Prometheus Lodge No. 851. He also serves inspector-at-large for Division I.
Session 7
Building Strong Lodges: Bringing Brothers Home
Speaker: Jordan Yelinek
Tuesday, June 30
Noon and 5 p.m.
Course Description
In 2020, Grand Lodge launched a new restoration campaign to bring back brothers who had lost touch with Masonry and been suspended for non-payment of dues. Research shows that as many as two-thirds of members suspended in the past two years had simply fallen out of touch with the lodge. During this session, learn about how the campaign has progressed, and what you can do to help bring brothers back to lodge.
Speaker BioJordan Yelinek is director of Member Services and Lodge Development for Grand Lodge, where he also heads event management. He was raised a Master Mason in 2002. He has served as master and secretary of Prometheus Lodge No. 851. He also serves inspector-at-large for Division I.
Session 8
Annual Communication, Budget, and Per Capita: What to Expect
Speakers: Arthur Salazar, Arthur Weiss, Jeff Wilkins, Allan Casalou, John Trauner
Thursday, July 2
Noon and 5 p.m.
Course Description
During our closing session, hear about proposals for per capita and the Grand Lodge budget for the upcoming Masonic year, and learn specifics about how Grand Lodge operates the fraternity in California. We will also review the upcoming Annual Communication, and Grand Master John Trauner will close our Masonic Online Leadership Course.
Speaker Bios
Arthur Salazar is grand treasurer of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in 2004. He has served as master of Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671, and as an inspector and as a member of various constitutional boards and committees for Grand Lodge.
Jeffrey Wilkins is senior grand warden of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in 1992. He has served as master of Mosaic Lodge No. 218, and also as an inspector, as assistant grand lecturer, and as a member of various constitutional boards and committees for Grand Lodge.
Arthur Weiss is deputy grand master of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in 1986. He has served as master Conejo Valley Lodge No. 807, and as a member of various constitutional boards and committees, including as chairman and president of the California Masonic Foundation.
Allan Casalou is grand secretary of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in 1991. He has served as master of Acalanes Fellowship Lodge No. 480 and Prometheus Lodge No. 851. As grand secretary, he is a member of various constitutional boards and leads our Grand Lodge staff.
John Trauner is grand master of Masons in California. He was raised a Master Mason in Madison Lodge No. 23 in Grass Valley in 1997 and served as master of the lodge in 2001. Trauner has also served the Grand Lodge of California as an inspector, as assistant grand lecturer, and as a member of various constitutional boards.